NCSU Students Respond to Libyan Unrest

Sehdia Mansaray | Staff Writer

Eleven years after the 9/11terrorist attacks on the United States, another attack has occurred, this time at the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi, Libya.

The attack was instigated by the release of an American produced film, “Innocence of Muslims.” In the film, the prophet Mohammed is depicted as promiscuous and as a persecutor of Christians. Originally created in English, the film was released on an Egyptian network in Arabic, which incited protests in Cairo, Egypt, and Benghazi, Libya.

During the protests in Benghazi, a small militant group attacked the consulate. United States Ambassador,Christopher Stevens was killed, along with three other American diplomats.

The turmoil caused by the video had an impact on students at N.C. State as well. On Sep. 20, the Muslim Student Association and the Academic Study of Religion Club held a discussion during which students were presented the opportunity to voice their views about the video and the issues impassioned by it.

Abdullah Dorgham, a Palestinian-American senior majoring in biochemistry, believes that ignorance about the Middle East plays a great role in how the region is perceived. Dorgham also spoke of the media’s tendency to only show one portrayal of Muslims in the Middle East. “The Muslims seen in the news, should not be used as a basis for people’s ideas about Islam, but the media will more likely display the violence with Islam, rather than the peace,” said Dorgham. He continued with, “In the aftermath of the violence at the U.S. Embassy, there have been peaceful protests in Benghazi. Still, the elimination of Islamophobia remains to be seen, as ignorance about the involved countries continues to disperse.’

Several other Muslim students expressed their irritation toward the media, which they believe to show only depictions of Islam, as connected to 9/11. One student said, “Twitter has become a more reliable [news] source than CNN.”

A recent Newsweek cover featured an image of Islamic protesters, with the title “Muslim Rage.” Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the author of the article that correlated with the picture, said, “[Muslim protesters] represent the mainstream of contemporary Islam.” The cover and article have sparked controversy among members of the Islamic faith, who feel they reinforce negative stereotypes.

A Twitter trend, #MuslimRage, was created in response to the Newsweek cover.

Since then there have been several tweets satirizing the article along with Ayaan’s ideal of “Islam’s rage [continuously] rearing its ugly head.”

For example, Hijab Girl, tweeted, “You lose your nephew at the airport but you can’t yell his name because it’s JIHAD. #muslimrage”

The film, “Innocence of Muslims,” has raised many questions on freedom of speech and expression.  While the Obama administration has denounced the film for going against the value of freedom of religion, it remains uncensored and accessible on YouTube.

Libya has close ties to the U.S., and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made it clear in her address that the attack was not supported by the Libyan government, but instead a “small and savage group.”